Which activity would be considered a leading indicator of a zero incident culture?

• A. Routine and effective use of task hazard analysis
• B. Incident investigations after injuries
• C. Safety drills with no follow-up
• D. PPE audits alone

Answer: (A)

Leading indicators are proactive safety measures that show prevention is happening before harm occurs. Routine and effective use of task hazard analysis fits this best because it requires identifying hazards, assessing risk, implementing controls, and verifying they’re working before the work starts. This demonstrates a proactive mindset and ongoing risk reduction, which aligns with a zero-incident culture.

Incident investigations after injuries, by contrast, reflect what happened after the fact and are lagging indicators. Safety drills with no follow-up suggest training activity but lack evidence of corrective actions or lasting change. PPE audits focus on equipment use and compliance but don’t necessarily address broader hazard controls or the everyday preventive work that prevents incidents.